************************************
The Whore and the Captain: Part 1
*************************************
-- ROME A.D. 2370 --
"Over here, Jean-Luc, I have found an old sign."
Professor Vicelius was a distinguished elderly gentleman who wore
one of those big-brim hats that archaeologists love. He handed
over a broken piece of inscribed stone to Picard, who cleaned off
the dirt with a small brush.
"Yes," Picard said, examining the marble, "it does appear to be a
marker of some kind. You are the Latin expert, Professor, can you
translate the inscription?"
The Professor examined the piece closely, "It says Domus
Matrillae, The House of Matrilla. Interesting..."
The enterprise was in orbit around earth while several senior
officers attended training sessions run by Starfleet's Recreation
Department. Picard, very in character, chose an archaeology
seminar held in Rome. It was amazing to him that, after hundreds
of years of excavations in this eternal city, there were still
artifacts to be found. Professor Vicelius was an old friend as
well as an eminent classical archaeologist. Picard had found this
trip to be thoroughly relaxing and educational, so far.
"Follow me," Professor Vicelius beckoned, "I want to
show you something really unique. We are on the cutting edge of
archaeological technology."
Picard and Dr. Vicelius walked over the far side of the dig.
Two graduate students were operating a machine that resembled
a large phaser canon. Around the periphery of the area mechanical
hooks were moving in and out of the generated beam. It
appeared that objects were being pulled from nowhere.
"This instrument, Jean-Luc, is the first wormhole generator to be
used specifically for retrieving archaeological artifacts. We
actually pull objects out of space-time. Of course, this is still
experimental, but it is an wonderful feeling to hold an actual pot
instead of a potsherd."
Picard was both impressed and confused. "Doctor, how can you just
reach in and take things out of time? What if you grab hold of
something that shouldnt be displaced?"
Dr. Vicelius shook his head, "Don't worry. We're not changing
space-time. We have a method of looking before we leap. See
those goggles? Go take a peek, you'll be astounded."
Picard walked over to a viewscope being used by a student. The
young man reluctantly gave up his position to the Captain, who
after a few seconds exclaimed, "Incredible, I wonder..."
He never finished his sentence. A huge flash occurred by
the wormhole generator. The smoke cleared quickly, but Picard had
disappeared.
-- ROME A.D. 31 --
"Quis est, Matrilla?"
"Nescio, Miryam. Est vir calvus, inustitate vestitus."